My kid is working on a prototype xy plotter. This one is obviously not big enough. We would scale it up.
https://youtu.be/JdCrD_h4IgI
We may try and add a stepper motor to control the angle of the walking foot of my 1928 Singer 29K51 machine. Then we could program it to do a 4 point zig zag and lock stitches.
I made a CNC router; sitting in my garage now...thats a hobby of its own. Don't know why you'd want to hook a stepper motor onto your sewing machine; not likely to be successful coordinating movement. You're also looking at controller board, power supply and controller software like Mach 3/4. Why not just make a sail out of Dacron and double stitch a two point zig zag? Spend the money on materials, books and practice...
charlescarlis wrote: I made a CNC router; sitting in my garage now...that's a hobby of its own.
Very cool and I agree. Would like to see your CNC router, either on the forum or via email. We had talked about making a setup that could either draw or carry a router. We are using an arduino for control. A newer video:
https://youtu.be/dCD5Jp9tEww
Your advice is sound and likely we will use dacron and the two point stitch of our Brother machine. The CNC controlled Singer antique would be a hobby project. If we do it, I'll post it here. The one big disadvantage of the 29K51 is it has a small bobbin.
I have the same problem with my Singer 20U83; bobbin size. Doing the leach of my main took, I think 4 bobbin changes.
I'll get picks of my router and franken-computer that controls it this evening. I know zero about arduino stuff. I'm doing standardized, NEMA 23 high torque steppers (not servos), powered by typical controller boards tied together and running Mach 3. I WAS using Fusion to design, because it has an integrated CAM solution that used to be free... You know - "The first hit's free. After that you have to pay..." I haven't messed with it again in a while. I would like to build a 5 foot by 9 foot plotter with z-axis and vacuum table so I could mount either a pen or a laser. Would be useful for marking plywood parts and particularly useful for cutting cloth (in theory). Would have to be able to break it down for that size, however.
Before that, my cat's getting complete strip-down, hulls need to be detached, stripped of paint, repairs/bottom job and re-paint/re-build. I'll do a new trampoline and misc. canvas stuff. That should have me ready for the spring, and for a good full 2-3 seasons at least. That's enough project in what free time I've got. I'll help where I can on the CNC stuff; got lots of info built up over the years. CNC Zone dot com is a pretty decent place to learn also.
charlescarlis wrote: I would like to build a 5 foot by 9 foot plotter with z-axis and vacuum table so I could mount either a pen or a laser. Would be useful for marking plywood parts and particularly useful for cutting cloth (in theory). Would have to be able to break it down for that size, however.
We were thinking we would hoist it to the roof of the hangar, and pull the airplane/catamaran out when we wanted to use it. Thanks for the info. I'll PM you my gmail ID, you can just append (at) gmail dot com onto it.
I am making a couple of practice sails for my little boats. They are 55 ft^2 lateen sails. I'm using 4oz dacron just to work with the same material that I plan to make my SC17 sail out of. I used Sailcut CAD and plotted the panels out by hand.
Because I am making two identical sails, I plotted one and traced one. Plotting by hand sucks! My kid and I will work on a plotter/cutter this summer.
Here are my two sail kits. There is some serious sewing in my future.
I did end up buying another machine. This is what I've got. I've used it for a few small projects and I like it. It has a long arm, 9" compared to the 7" which is more common.
https://walking-foot.com/product/omega-wf24lnzzmw/
Edited by waiex191 on Apr 22, 2021 - 12:32 PM.
samc99us wrote:
With dacron cloth, I would look at 6oz dacron for beachcat square top mains.
It seems the only colored dacron I can find is 4 oz. Did they used to make 6oz dacron in colors or did they used to make the sails with the lighter cloth?
Challenge still advertises it, but I bet you'll end up having to buy it from a loft or get Sailrite or Sailmakers Supply, etc. to special order it from a phone call.
Whether it's truly available or not right now could be an entirely different story.
I've been working on this sporadically. The sails have come out pretty good. Compared to the old ones they have a lot more shape - some of it due to Sailcut generated panel curves, and a lot from the foot rounding. We should have these on the water this weekend and see the results.
The SC17 will need a sail before the H16 does, but they are both in need.
As mentioned this was all 4oz dacron. For most of the sail I used V69 thread and a #16 needle. For the spar pockets, especially at the tack and the clew, that combination was giving me trouble. I went up to a #20 needle and V92 thread. Also I think I used several miles of 1/2" basting tape from Sailrite.
Edited by waiex191 on Jun 02, 2021 - 11:23 AM.
yeah, pretty cool. And, actually not complicated CNC mechanics. Would love to do a home build...
charlescarlis wrote: yeah, pretty cool. And, actually not complicated CNC mechanics. Would love to do a home build...
I won't be offended if you beat me to it!
We got the new sails out today. What a transformation - lots more power. Some of it is from going up to 55 ft2 from 45, but also these sails actually have shape. So I'm pleased with my efforts. However, we did have one little issue:
I'm afraid we may have outgrown our foam boats. Time to get the H16 going.
Video to follow...
Congrats on your first sail. Any pics in action? Well if you're trying to go fast and breaking stuff, that's about right, so you MUST be on the right track!
Hey Chuck,
No pictures, because we often end up turtled so we leave the phones on shore. I was going to take a picture of both boats next to the water when we got back, if the wind had died down. But my kid recently got a gopro, so we have some video:
https://youtu.be/hcRpHW9wr8I
I was on the other foam boat and it has never gone so well. I had to sit on the gunwale to keep it upright & flat and it scooted a lot better. I know these are not beachcats, but they are still fun. I think the focus in terms of working on boats will be the Hobie 16.
Perhaps just keep beer in that cooler and don't try to sail it.